The Duel between Merlin and Kilgharrah occurred after Merlin was advised by Kilgharrah to go to the Isle of the Blessed and seek out a High Priestess of the Old Religion in order to save Arthur's life after he had been bitten by the Questing Beast. That High Priestess, Nimueh, gave Merlin some water from the Cup of Life, which held the power to bring Arthur back from the brink of death in exchange for another life. Though Merlin had declared his own life as the sacrifice for saving, Nimueh had taken his mother's life instead, causing Hunith to suddenly become fatally ill. When Merlin discovered this betrayal, he became angry with Kilgharrah because the Dragon possessed the ability to foresee the things that have not yet come to pass, thus knowing when he advised Merlin to go to the Isle of